HCMC strives to attract medical tourists

HO CHI MINH CITY, 26 June 2017: Ho Chi Minh City health and tourism agencies believe medical tourism could be the next trend to improve the southern Vietnamese city’s foreign exchange earnings.

Vietnam Net Bridge quoted the city’s Department of Health deputy director, Tang Chi Thuong, saying there had been a global boom in medical tourism and Asian destinations had benefited.

“With highly skilled and experienced physicians, state-of-the-art facilities and advanced medical technologies as well as reasonably-priced services, public and private hospitals have reported a consistent increase in the number of foreign patients.” Read more

Vietnam eases guide rules

HO CHI MINH CITY, 23 June 2017: Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister, Vu Duc Dam, says people who are fluent in lesser-used foreign languages, but lack relevant university decrees are now eligible to accompany professional tour guides to serve international tourists and end a labour shortage.

Saigon Times media reported that the Deputy PM Dam rejected the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s proposal to issue temporary tour guide cards for linguists who are not trained as guides, but he admitted they had a role to play.

The National Assembly passed a revised Law on Tourism that introduces new rules that open a guiding career to vocational college graduates. The move is intended to enlarge the workforce in the tourism sector. Read more

Vietnam tightens tourism law

HO CHI MINH CITY, 22 June 2017: The recently introduced Tourism Law requires bosses of travel firms, or heads of travel departments, to meet stricter educational qualifications.

Under the law heads of department and top management must to obtain college travel diplomas or degrees.

According to the Saigon Times report, the National Assembly confirmed the law specified that bosses of travel firms, or heads of travel departments, must obtain a college diploma in travel services or a recognised certificate on travel management. Read more

HCMC airport plans

HO CHI MINH CITY, 21 June 2017: Vietnam’s relevant agencies will establish an assessment council responsible for the Tan Son Nhat International Airport expansion project and submit a report to the government before December.

Saigon Times media reported Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has assigned the Ministry of Transport to hire an international consultant to study the long-awaited expansion of the airport that will increase handling capacity to around 45 million passengers a year.

The government has asked the ministry to consider all possible options, including those proposed by domestic consultants. Read more

Pressure to slow Uber and Grab

HANOI, 21 June 2017: Pressure is being applied on Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport to stop licensing new cars for app-based taxi services as traditional taxis feel the pinch.

Tuoi Tre News reported that a pilot programme allowing Grab and Uber as well as several local taxi and transportation companies to operate app-based services in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Khanh Hoa has now come under fire.

Both the Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City transport departments proposed rules that will prevent an expansion of the internet-based taxi booking services as criticism mounts mainly generated by traditional taxi owners. Read more

Fast tracking Phan Thiet airport

BINH THUAN, 20 June 2017: Vietnam’s  Binh Thuan provincial authorities are demanding the construction of the civilian-military Phan Thiet Airport be speeded up to allow it open to commercial traffic next year.

Construction began in 2015 and there are no signs that it can open any time soon.

Local media reported that provincial authorities want the Ministry of Defense to pay compensation to land owners. Of VND135 billion (USD6 million), around VND50 billion (USD2.2 million) has been paid so far. Read more

Cat Bi eyes expansion

HAI PHONG, 20 June 2017: Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam is supporting Hai Phong authorities to accelerate the second phase of the Cat Bi International Airport expansion project.

Local media reported that part of the runway of Cat Bi International Airport has been seriously damaged, forcing airlines to cut flights to the airport.

The runway in question was built in 1996 and after 20 years needs urgent repairs. Read more

Vietnam extends visa-free

HANOI, 20 June 2017: Travellers from five European countries can continue to enjoy visa-free travel to Vietnam through to June 2018.

The five nationalities eligible for visa-free travel are:  the United Kingdom; France; Germany; Italy and Spain.

The visa-free provision is up and running and embassies have been notified so they can make announcements in the five nations to potential travellers and tour operators. Read more

HCMC identifies tourism as key driver

HO CHI MINH CITY, 19 June 2017: Ho Chi Minh City tourism sector is projecting VND170 trillion (USD7.5 billion) in annual revenue by 2020.

Saigon Times media reported that annual tourism revenue should account for over 11% of the city’s total gross domestic product.

The city is planning to develop tourism into a major economic driver exceeding other industries over the next five years. This year, the sector should achieve revenue of VND120 trillion (USD5.3 billion), a 16.5% rise over the previous year and well above the earlier-set goal of VND116 trillion (USD5.1 billion). Read more

Centara reopens Danang resort

DANANG, 19 June 2017: Centara Hotels & Resorts has reopened the 198-room Centara Sandy Beach Resort Danang following an extensive renovation and upgrade.

The resort is located on Non Nuoc beach, a 20-minutes drive from Danang’s airport and close to two championship golf courses. The resort targets vacationing families and couples, as well as weddings and business events. Read more

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